Tuning mechanism for stringed instruments.



No.'64 l,367\ Patented Ian. l6, I900.

G. BRAUEIL TUNING MECHANISM FOR STRI'NGED INSTRUMENTS.

(Application filed Lug. 4, 1897.)

{In Mullah) Wibwsses fizz/671107.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BRAUER, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

TUNING MECHANISM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,367, dated January16, 1900. App at fil d August 4, 1897. satin No, 647,119. (No model.)

To all whom} it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE BRAUER, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Sacramento, county of Sacramento, and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in theTuning Mechanism of Stringed Instruments; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be afull, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing also had to the annexed drawing, which represents the applicationof this improvement on an instrument of the viola variety.

This improvement concerns the way of limiting the sounding portion ofthe string and forms, therefore, a substitute for What is commonlycalled the saddle or upper bridge, and has for its purpose to lessen thefriction of the string against the said saddle or bridge in order tofacilitate the tuning of the instrument. This object is accomplished bymeans of asmall friction-roller A, which is pivoted to a socketconnected with the upper part of the neck, at the inner or lower part ofthe wrestplank, and has a V-shaped peripheral groove over which thestring runs, one separate roller being provided for each string.

The purpose of this invention is to form an improvement on those tuningmechanisms that are actuated by means of a screw or Worm geararrangement, as on instruments equipped in this Way the friction on thebridge or saddle is an essential hindrance to the smooth working of themechanism.

I claim-- On a stringed instrument having a screw or worm gear tuningmechanism and a bridge to separate the sounding portion of the stringsfrom that portion contiguous to the tuning mechanism a friction-rolleror friction-rollers to serve as a bearing for the strings upon saidbridge; one separate roller being provided for each string;substantially as and for the purpose set forth,

GEORGE BRAUER.

Witnesses LAWRENCE E. MAHAN, ERNST GOTTWALD.'

